4-1-Zoo: Would Robinson, Forcier Come to Pitt?

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 27: Quarterback Denard Robinson #16 of the Michigan Wolverines runs against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. Robinson rushed for 105 yards in a 37-7 loss to Ohio State. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

PITTSBURGH — One of the intriguing things about hiring Todd Graham as head football coach at Pitt is his staff and how well it might recruit.

Offensive coordinator Calvin Magee and recruiting coordinator Tony Gibson are both formerly of Rich Rodriguez’s staffs at West Virginia and Michigan, and it appears they might have a chance to lure some talent away from the Wolverines.

Namely: quarterbacks Denard Robinson and/or Tate Forcier.

Robinson was arguably the most dangerous offensive threat in the nation in 2010. He threw for over 2,500 yards and 18 touchdowns while rushing for over 1,700 yards, powering the No. 25 scoring offense in the country (32.8 points per game).

Forcier experienced a good deal of success at Michigan two years ago, throwing for over 2,000 yards and 13 touchdowns. He lost his job to Robinson in 2010.

And now their head coach, Rodriguez, is gone.

It leaves a big decision for both players, who will have to choose between playing for new Michigan head football coach Brady Hoke or moving to a different school. It’s such a big decision because not many people can utilize talents like Robinson or Forcier like Rodriguez did in his spread offense.

One person that might be able to, though, is Magee.

He was offensive coordinator at Michigan and likely will run a similar, if not the same, offense at Pitt. Both Robinson and Forcier are familiar with that offense and could make a rather seamless transition to Pitt — though transfer rules would require them to sit out a year.